Lymphotoxin Alpha Therapy for Leukemic Stem Cell Eradication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other myeloid diseases, such as CML, fail to achieve durable remissions due to the persistence of leukemic stem cells (LSCs) despite rigorous chemotherapy, leading to low long-term survival rates and significant side effects, especially in elderly patients.

Innovation Solution

The use of a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of human lymphotoxin alpha (LT-α) or its mature form, or sequences with high identity, to induce programmed cell death in leukemia cells and LSCs by engaging TNF receptor superfamily members, particularly TNFR1 and TNFR2, as part of a pharmaceutical composition that may include additional agents like SMAC mimetics and chemotherapy drugs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional chemotherapy is used to treat myeloid leukemia, then leukemia cells are killed, but differentiation block and drug resistance occur leading to treatment failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoiddifferentiation block and drug resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the therapeutic parameter from conventional chemotherapy agents to recombinant lymphotoxin alpha (LTα) with specific biological activity units (5×10³ to 5×10⁶ BU/kg). This parameter change enables differentiation of leukemia cells while avoiding the differentiation block and drug resistance associated with conventional chemotherapy, thereby improving treatment effectiveness without the harmful side effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high doses of chemotherapy drugs are administered to overcome drug resistance, then more leukemia cells are killed, but toxicity to normal cells increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleukemia cell elimination rateVSAvoidtoxicity to normal cells
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses recombinant lymphotoxin alpha as an intermediary substance that selectively targets leukemia cells through specific biological mechanisms. LTα binds to receptors on leukemia cells and induces differentiation and apoptosis, achieving high elimination rates without the non-specific toxicity of high-dose chemotherapy to normal cells. The intermediary acts as a selective mediator between the therapeutic goal and the target cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If conventional therapy is used to induce leukemia cell differentiation, then differentiation is attempted, but the differentiation block prevents successful differentiation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleukemia cell differentiationVSAvoiddifferentiation success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful differentiation block into a beneficial effect by using recombinant lymphotoxin alpha to specifically overcome this block. LTα binds to receptors on differentiated leukemia cells and triggers a signaling cascade that reverses the differentiation block, enabling successful differentiation. The therapy transforms the pathological state (differentiation block) into a therapeutic opportunity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP3969123B1Lymphotoxin alpha for use in therapy of myeloid leukemia
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 CYCURIA THERAPEUTICS GMBH
  • EP3969123B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1e
  • EP3969123B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP3969123B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a polypeptide for use in the treatment of myeloid diseases or myeloid neoplasms, a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a polypeptide for use in the treatment of myeloid diseases or myeloid neoplasms and a kit comprising such a polypeptide for use in the treatment of myeloid diseases or myeloid neoplasms.